How could I possibly be confined in a cage?

Song Wenqu got up, lifted the quilt, and slowly sat up.

He wasn't actually sick, just injured. Touching his left arm, there was a inch-long wound that had just scabbed over. The injury wasn't deep, but his pride was more deeply wounded.

Recalling Yan Ru's resistance to him, Master Song narrowed his eyes, feeling that something must have happened that he was unaware of.

He got up and went to Yanru's side, but at the last moment he turned around and went to Wanniang's courtyard.

"Master, you've arrived." Wan Niang rushed over like a butterfly, her eyes filled with nothing but Master Song's image.

His gaze softened, and Master Song stroked Wan Niang's hair. Her once dry and frizzy hair was now smooth and silky thanks to the care she received at the Song family home. Master Song was very pleased and took Wan Niang's hand as they entered the room.

Wan Niang personally held the teacup, took Master Song's coat, and then went to get the pastries.

"Stop what you're doing, I have a few questions for you."

Wan Niang quickly stopped and knelt at Master Song's feet, waiting for him to speak.

Master Song wasn't used to Wan Niang's humility, so he gestured for her to sit up.

Wan Niang shook her head and said, "Master, I am just a maid you bought. I dare not be your equal."

"No need. My Song family has no habit of mistreating pregnant women. Even if you don't sit, the baby in your belly should sit."

Wan Niang then hesitantly got up, but dared not sit next to Master Song. She chose a stool far away and sat down, her bottom half touching the stool.

I don't know where she learned such manners, but her obsequiousness was so tedious that Master Song couldn't stand it anymore. "Fine, I'm relieved to see you're doing well. Do as you please," Master Song said, getting up and leaving.

Wan Niang was filled with trepidation, not knowing what she had done wrong. But thinking of the rules Du Ruo had taught her during this time, she didn't dare to ask him to stay. She only chased after Master Song and saw him off before returning.

"Pfft," Du Ruo sneered, "Oh dear, our Seventh Concubine, the Master finally came, how come you couldn't keep him? It's clear you haven't learned the rules well enough, you should study some more." She spit out sunflower seed shells flippantly, her words showing little respect.

Even a fool could tell the difference. Wan Niang blushed and hid in her room. She covered her head with the blanket and sobbed. She finally understood that Du Ruo had been teasing her and had taught her those wrong rules.

She had trusted Du Ruo so much, treating her with respect only because she was a maidservant of the second concubine, but it turned out she was the one who harmed her.

Master Song finally stepped into Qingru's courtyard. It was eerily quiet, a stark contrast to the previous bustling atmosphere.

With a sullen face, Master Song entered the small building without saying a word.

There are not many servants left to attend to things here. The old furniture and decorations are still there, but it is cold and deserted. At this time of year, dust will settle on the floor if it is not wiped down for a day.

Mr. Song went upstairs by himself, and looking at the heavily locked door, he was hesitant to open it.

It was quiet inside; I wonder how Yanru is doing.

What else could Yan Ru do? She lay on the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. She had known this day would come. That day, she refused Master Song's request, but he took it as if she was still half-heartedly resisting as before. In the struggle, Yan Ru slashed Master Song with a dagger.

Bright red blood seeped out, and Yan Ru realized what she had done. In disbelief, she threw down the dagger and rushed out of the room to jump off the building.

Ignoring his bleeding arm, Master Song grabbed her and slammed her to the ground.

Just then, the dagger was right in front of her, and without thinking, Yan Ru picked it up and stabbed it into her neck.

In a moment of panic, Master Song slapped him across the face.

Yan Ru was stunned by the loud slap, her mind was buzzing, and blood trickled from the corner of her mouth, but she remained stubborn.

"You want to die?" Master Song said angrily. "You actually want to die just to reject me? What exactly do you want to do?"

"Let me go!" Yan Ru struggled desperately. "I regret it. A person should respect himself before others will love him. I was wrong. I made a mistake before, and now I want to correct it."

A deep sense of fear rose in Master Song's heart, and Yan Ru finally understood.

Thinking about this, and then recalling what I had just seen—that Yanru's sister had come to the Song family with Guo Zixing…

Master Song panicked. No, he couldn't let anyone know that Yanru was in the Song residence.

I knocked on the door, but no one answered.

Mr. Song knocked on the door again, and waited for a while, but still no one answered.

Fearing she might do something foolish again, Master Song kicked open the door.

Fortunately, Yanru is still alive.

She lay in bed, struggling to turn her head when she heard the noise. Seeing it was Master Song, she closed her eyes in despair.

"Yanru, stop making a scene. What on earth has caused this sudden change in your personality?"

"It's nothing. I've just figured it out. I've grown up and understood. I want to be with my family. I can't stay in the Song family. Forget about the past. I've already given you the jade pendant, so we're even." Yan Ru closed her eyes again after saying that.

Master Song laughed angrily, "You are my sixth concubine, so I am your family. Where else do you want to go? Your father and sister are alive and well, and neither of them has thought of you. So don't think about it anymore."

"How...how can you say such a thing? My father and sister are kind people, they wouldn't do that. Why are you suddenly telling me this? Do you know something? Is there news about my father and sister? Tell me." Yan Ru suddenly realized what was happening and pleaded with him.

Master Song's face darkened slightly. "Yanru, you'd better behave yourself, or don't blame me for turning ruthless!"

Yan Ru froze, realizing how naive she had been from Master Song's indifferent attitude.

"You've been lying to me from the beginning, haven't you? It's not as dangerous as you said, is it?"

Master Song did not answer. He turned and walked to the window, glancing out through the veranda. It faced the outer study of the mansion, and the window of the study was open, allowing a clear view of Yan Ru.

Looking back, I had my first doubts about her.

Yanru, are you really the purest girl in the world?

"If you obediently become my sixth concubine, then your father will be my family, and I will naturally try my best to save him. If you don't listen, then I will have to use my own methods on you."

His sudden change of expression startled Yan Ru.

From the moment they met, Master Song treated her like a gentle spring breeze, tender and considerate. His sudden change of heart caught Yan Ru off guard.

"No, I won't be a concubine. Don't even think about it."

"Ha, you've been my woman for a long time..."

"Stop talking, stop talking!"

Yan Ru shouted that this was her disgrace and that he was not allowed to mention it again under any circumstances.

Seeing Yan Ru so agitated and out of control, Old Master Song felt a surge of anger. Suppressing his resentment, he said slowly and firmly, "Does being with me make you feel so ashamed? So many women want to be my woman but don't have the right. You should be content. The Song family is your safe haven. Don't even think about leaving."

Yan Ru froze, staring at Master Song in disbelief, "You..."

Mr. Song, however, was unwilling to say any more to her and turned to leave.

Yan Ru bit her lip tightly and couldn't help but sob softly. What should she do now?

Master Song's back was desolate and lonely, as if he had suffered a great blow, as he left the small courtyard.

Yanru looked at the window of the outer study; it was her only comfort.

After quietly packing her belongings, Yan Ru decided to leave. Besides the jade pendant she had already given away, she still had three more in her possession.

The double fish pendant was originally intended for Song Yuanliang, but there hadn't been a good opportunity for it, so Yan Ru carefully hid it away, waiting for it to see the light of day again.

As night fell, Song Yuanliang finally shed his weariness; he was truly exhausted. He had entertained Guo Zixing and handled all the affairs, big and small, for the Song family. He now genuinely admired Master Song; he had managed to handle so many complex tasks so efficiently.